š Step Back in Time at Harvest on the Homestead
Looking for something a little different to do with the kids this weekend?
Harvest on the Homestead at the Conococheague Institute in Mercersburg is one of those local fall events where families can do more than simply watch history — kids can actually experience it.
Our family attended last year, and between the music, dancing, historic demonstrations, games, grape stomping and hands-on activities, there always seemed to be something interesting happening around the next corner.
š Harvest on the Homestead
š
Saturday, October 10, 2026
ā° Noon–8 p.m.
š Conococheague Institute
12995 Bain Road, Mercersburg, PA 17236
š² FREE
šØš©š§š¦ Family friendly
š¾ History You Can Touch, Try & Experience
The Conococheague Institute is a hands-on regional learning center located at historic Rock Hill Farm, where programming focuses on what daily life was really like on the Appalachian frontier.
During Harvest on the Homestead, families can expect a full day of historic activities and demonstrations inspired by harvest season in the 18th century.
Past and current Harvest programming has included experiences such as:
- š Grape stomping
- š Apple harvesting and cider making
- š„ Hearth cooking and historic foodways
- š„ Outdoor and traditional cooking demonstrations
- š» Period music and dancing
- šÆ Historic games and hands-on activities
- š Farm animals and animal husbandry
- šæ Garden and homestead activities
- š Living-history demonstrations and presentations
- š„ A community bonfire
It’s the kind of event that can make history feel much more real to kids than simply reading about it in a book.
And our family has a little extra affection for this place — my daughter, who loves history, began volunteering at the Institute while she was still in middle school after first discovering their programming through a colonial dancing presentation at school.
š” Why Families Might Love This One
If you have a child who loves history — or even one who insists that history is boring — this is a fun way to experience it differently.
Instead of just hearing about life in the 1700s, families can see historic clothing, hear the music, watch food being prepared, explore the farmstead and take part in activities themselves.
š» More Than Just a Fall Festival
One of the things that makes the Conococheague Institute special is the emphasis on telling a broader story of frontier life.
The Institute’s programming explores the experiences, traditions and daily lives of the different people who were part of this region’s history, including Indigenous peoples and European settlers, along with the complicated stories of enslaved and indentured people on the frontier.
That combination of music, food, farming, culture and hands-on history makes Harvest on the Homestead feel less like a traditional museum visit and more like stepping into another time.
š„ Stay Into the Evening
If your family can stay later, the bonfire is a fun way to end the day.
There’s something especially fitting about gathering around a fire after an afternoon of harvest activities, music and living history — particularly on a crisp October evening.
š Looking for More Fall Fun?
Harvest on the Homestead is just one of the fall activities happening throughout Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Mercersburg and the surrounding area.
ā”ļø Check out our Fall & Halloween Fun Guide for pumpkin patches, festivals, trunk-or-treats, Halloween events and more seasonal family fun.
š You can also browse our Macaroni KID Chambersburg Event Calendar to see what else is happening this weekend and beyond.
ā¤ļø Want to Get Involved?
The Conococheague Institute also offers volunteer opportunities for people interested in helping with programs, special events, living history, gardening, research and other areas.
ā”ļø Looking for more ways to give back locally? Visit our Family Volunteer Opportunities Guide for more ideas for kids, teens and families.
š Want More Local Family Fun?
We're always looking for the best things to do with kids around Chambersburg, Greencastle, Waynesboro, Mercersburg and our surrounding communities.
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Event details can change. We always recommend confirming current information with the Conococheague Institute before heading out.
AI tools were used to assist with research and drafting; all local details were reviewed and edited by Macaroni KID Chambersburg.
